Vending machine



June 9, 1931. o. MOBLEY VENDING MACHINE Filed Marh 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

Om: L. MoeLEY A TTORNEY.

0. L. MOBLEY VENDING MACHINE June 9, 1931.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ORR L. MosLE'Y ATTORNEY.

Filed March 25, 1950 Patented June 9, 1931 PATENT OFFICE one 1.. MoBLnY, oFcIncInnA'rI, OHIO I VENDING MACHINE Application filed March 25, 1930. Serial No. 438,735.

The invention relates to machines adapted to vend merchandise.

The object of the invention is to provide simple, efficient and dependable mechanical means adapted to vend merchandise.

The invention consists in the combination of the elements, arrangements of the parts and in the details of the construction, as claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the invention shown partly broken away;

F ig. 2 is a side view of the same, with the trough removed;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 44 in Fig 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 33 in Fig. 1, showing the parts in changed position;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 66 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an inside elevational view of the front plate;

Fig. 8 is an inside elevational view of the lower rear-bar;

Fig. 9 is an inside elevation view of the coin mechanism showing parts broken away;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the trough;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of' the supp i Fig. 12 is a plan view of the invention, with the trough removed;

Fig. 13 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 1313 in Fig. 1, with parts removed and showing parts broken away.

In the preferred construction of the invention I provide the rectangular container 1 comprising the integrally formed body 2 and the base 3. The body 2 comprises the integrally formed front 4, sides 5 and 6, rear 7, bottom 8 and top 8. The front 4 has the door 9 thereon, extending from the bottom 8 to the top 8', for the purposeof enabling a person to insert his hand through the opening, normally closed by the door, and stack the cans 10, containing suitable Inerchandise, in the body 2.

The edges 11 of the front 4 are U-shape which receive the edges 12 of the cover or door' 9 which may be suitably locked in position to close the opening. Inthe bottom 8 of the body, equidistant spaced, from the sides 5 and 6, is the opening 13 in registering position with the top 14 of the hollow base 3.

In the front 15 of the base 3 is the opening 16 into which is fitted the coin operative mechanism 17 comprising the front plate 18 having the slots 19 and 20 therein. The off set edges 21, of the front plate 18, engage the inner surface of the front 15 of the base. The screws 22 received in the front 15 and the cars 23, integral with the side edges 24, of'the front plate, secure the front plate in the opening 16 of the front.

Slidably mounted on the upper ends of the inner and outer sides 25 and 26, respectively, of the front plate 18, are the rearupper bar and the front bar 27 and 28, respectively, having the holes 29 and 30 therein receiving the stems of the rivets 31 and 31, respective ly, slidably received in the slots 19 and 20 in the front plate. The rivets retain the bars 27 and 28 in contact with the front plate. Positioned intermediate the stem of the rivet 31 and the partition 32, between the slots 19 and 20, of the front plate, is the coil spring "33 adapted normally to urge the rivet 31 upwardly which forces the plates 27 and 28 upwardly in the position shown in Fig. 3.

Slidably-mounted adjacent the rear surface of the front plate 18 is the lower rear-bar or plunger 34 having the slot 35 therein re.- "ceiving the spaced apart rivets 36 and 36 suitably fixed in the'holes 36 in the front plate 18. Intermediate the rivet 36 and the upper portion of the plunger 24 is the coil spring 37, received in the slot 35, whereby the lower rear-bar or plunger 34 is urged in the upward position shown in Figs. 3 and 9. The heads 38 of the rivets retain the bar 34 in contact with'the front plate.

In the inner surface of the upper edge 39 of the rear-bar 34 is a cut-out 40 approximately in alignment with the upper rear plate 27.

Suitably fixed to the rear surface of the front plate 18 is the chute 41 having its rear side 42 inclined downwardly and inwardly. The chute 41 is retained in fixed relation with the front plate 18, as by the legs 43 which are suitably fixed to the front plate. The legs 43 are integrally formed with the sides 44, which are integrally formed with the rear side 42. The lower edge 45 of the side 42, of the chute 41, normally contacts the upper edge of the lower rear-bar 34, as shown in Figs. 3 and 9.

The base 3 comprises the integrally formed front 15, rear 46, sides 47 and 48 and bottom 49. In the sides 47 and 48 are the holes 50 and 51 adapted to slidably receive the trough 52 comprising the integrally formed bottom 53, the ends 54 and 55, and the sides 56 and 57. Extending between the sides 56 and 57 are the spaced apart vertical partitions 58 and 59, whereby the compartments 60, 61 and 62 are formed in the trough. Suitably fiXed to the upper edge of the vertical side 57 of the trough is the horizontal plate 63 adapted to be slidably received in the notch 64 formed in the side 48 of the base 3.

The cans 10 are manually stacked in the container 1, and since the bottom 8 of .the body 2 is inclined, from the sides 5 and 6 downwardly towards the base, the cans are adapted to roll through the opening, in the bottom 8 of the container into the base 3. One can always rests upon the top 65 of .the U-shape support 66 having the downwardly projecting legs 67 and 68 received in the compartment 61 and adapted to frictionally engage the innner surfaces of the sides 56 and 57 of the trough.

To operate the invention a coin 69 is inserted in the slot 70, in the upper edge of the front plate 18. The coin,by gravitation, falls in contact with the inner surface of the inclined-rear side 42 of the chute41 and slides downwardly in the cut-out 40, between the upper edge of the bar 34 and the inner surface of the front plate. Downward pressure on the horizontal car 71, (integrally formed with the upper edge of the front bar 28 and extending outwardly at rightangles thereto) forces the rear-bar 27 downwardly causing its lower edge 72 to contact the upper edge of the coin 69 and force the lower rear-bar 34 downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5, with the upper edge of the coin below the horizontal groove 73 formed in the rear surface of the front plate 18. Then the operator manually forces thetrough 52 from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 toward the side 47 of the base 3, whereby the lug 63 is slidably received in the groove 73 and forces the coin 69 from the cut-out 40 in contact with the inwardly projecting curved ridge 34 and into the compartment 61, thereby permitting the operator to force the compartment 60 outside the base, and the operator may obtain the cam 10 therein. When the lug 63 passes outwardly from between the lower and upper edge of the lower rear-bar 34 and the lower edge of the inclined rear side 42 of the chute 40, the spring 37 urges the lower rear-bar 34 upwardly to the position shown in Fi s. 3 and 4, thereby preventing slidable movement of the trough 52 within the base 3 since the lug 63 contacts the upper end of the bar 34.

A succeeding operation of the invention is as follows:

The purchaser inserts a coin in the slot in the upper edge of the front plate 18. The coin falls by gravitation into the cut-out 40. Thepurchaser manually forcesthe front bar 28 downwardly causing. the rear upper bar 27 to contact the coin and force the lower rearbar 34 downwardly until the upper edge of the coin passes below the horizontal groove 73. Then the operator may manually force the trough 52 toward the side 48 of the base 3 causing the lug 63 to enter the horizontal groove 73 and force'the coin fromthe cut-out 40. The upper edge ofthe lower rear-bar 34 slides on the bottom surface of the lug 63, thereby permittingthe operator to manually slide the trough to the position shown in Fig. 4, and the verticallug (4, (integral with the horizontal 'top 65 of the support 66) contacts the inner surface of the side 48, of the base 3, whereby the compartment 60, containing the can 10, is positioned outside the base 3 and the operator may readily obtain the can contained therein.

F or the purpose ofpreventing operation of the'invention by means of a steel slug having the same dimensions and shape as a coin, adapted to operate the invention, a usual magnet 75 is suitably secured to the upper inner surface of "the front 18. The poles of th'e'm'a'g'net are positioned slightly above the coin slot 70, whereby a steel slug inserted into the slot 70 is adapted to be at tracted to the magnet/T 5 thereby preventing the slug from falling into'the cut-out 40.

It is, therefore, apparent that "I have invented a highly desirable device of the character described by the utilization of which the sale of merchandise will be greatly stimulated, because'the operator who pays money into the machine obtains the merchandise immediately without the'necessity of going to a store and making a purchase. This feature is particularly advantageous with respect to the sale of merchandise from the inventions placed in factories, and the like locations.

An advantage of the invention isthat the coin operated mechanism is simple and comprises relatively few parts which are unlikely to require replacements or repairs.

Another advantage of the invention is that it may be manufactured at relatively low cost, whereby the operators investment, in consideration of the value of merchandise vended, is relatively small.

My device may be made of any size and constructed of any materials deemed convenient and suitable for a device of this character, and while I have illustrated and described a form of construction, and arrangement of the parts found desirable in n1aterializing the invention, I wish to include in this application all mechanical equivalents and substitutes that may fairly be considered to come within the scope and purview of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i 1. A vending device comprising a con tainer for packages of goods to be vended, said container having an opening therein, a trough slidably mounted beneath said open ing and having compartments adapted to receive said packages through said opening, said trough having a lug connected herewith, a vertical front plate mounted in said container and havin a coin slot therein, a lower rear-bar slidably mounted adjacent the rear of said plate and positioned below said coin slot and having a cut-out in its upper inner surface whereby a space is provided between the upper edge of said bar and said front plate, said lug adapted normally to contact said bar and prevent slidable movement of said trough in one direction, means whereby a coin, passed through said coin slot, enters said cut-out, and manually operative means to enga e said coin and force said bar downwardly below said groove, whereby said lug is adapted to enter said groove and said trough is adapted to be manually slid with one of said compartments outside said container.

2. A vending device comprising a container for receiving packages of goods to be vended, said container having an opening in its bottom, a trough slidably mounted beneath said opening and having compartments adapted to receive said packages through said opening, said trough having a lug connected therewith, a vertical front plate mounted in said container and having a coin slot therein, a lower rear-bar slida'bly mounted adj acent the rear of said plate and positioned below said coin slot and having a cut-out in its upper-inner surface whereby a space is provided between the upper edge of said bar and said front plate, means to normally urge 7. said bar 11 wardl in ali nment with said lu b D whereby said lug is adapted normally to contact said bar and prevent slidable movement of said trough in one direction, means to said guide a coin, passed through said coin slot, into said cut-out, and manually operative meansadapted to engage said coin and move said bar downwardly below said groove to permit said lug to entersaid groove whereby said trough is adapted to be manually slid and one of said compartments containing package is positioned outside said container.

3. A vending device comprising a container for receiving packages of goods to be vended, said container having an opening in its bottom, a trough slidably mounted beneath said opening and having compartments adapted to receive said packages through said opening, said trough having a lug connected therewith, a front plate mounted in said container and having a coin slot therein, a bar slidably mounted adjacent said plate and having a cut-out, means to normally urge said bar in alignment with said lug whereby said lug is adapted normally to contact'said bar and prevent slidable movement of said trough in one direction, means to guide a coin, passed through said coin slot, into said cut-out, and manually operative means adapted to engage said coin and move said bar to permit said lug to enter said groove whereby said trough is adapted to be manually slid and one of said compartments is positioned outside said container. 1

4:. In a vending device, a container having holes therein, a trough slidably received in said holes and having a compartment in one end adapted to receive said packages of merchandise from said body, a lug connected with said trough and extending horizontally, coin operativemechanism fixed to said container and consisting of a front plate having a coin slot therein and having a groove in its inner side in alignment with said lug, a vertical plunger adapted normally to prevent entrance of said lug in said groove, thereby preventing manual movement in one direction of said trough, and manually operative means adapted to engage a coin dropped through said slot and force said plunger downwardly below said groove thereby permitting passage of said lug through said V groove, whereby the compartment, contain ing a package of said merchandise, is adapted to be manually forced outwardly of said container.

5. In a vending device, a container having holes therein, a trough slidably received in said holes and having a compartment in one end adapted to receive said packages of merchandise from said body, a lug connected with said trough, coin'operative mechanism fixed to said container having a coin slot therein and having a groove in its inner side in alignment with said lug, a plunger adapted normally to prevent entrance of said lug in said groove, thereby preventing manual movement in one direction of said trough, and

manually operative means adapted to engage a coin dropped through said slot and force said plunger downwardly thereby permitting passage of said lug through said groove, whereby the compartment,containing a package of said merchandise, is adapted to'be manually forced outwardly of said container.

6. In a vending device, .a container comprising a body and a base, said base having holes therein, a trough slidably received in said holes and having a compartment in each end adapted to receive packages of merchandise from said body, the length of said trough and the size of said compartments being such that when one of said compartments is outside said base the other compartment is inside said base, means connected with said trough adapted to normally prevent more than one of said compartments tobe' simultaneously positioned outside said base, a lug connected with said trough and extending forwardly and horizontally, means to control the movement of said trough within said base comprising coin operative mechanism consisting of a front plate fixed to said container and having a coin slot therein and having a groove in its inner side in alignment with said lug, a plunger adapted normally to prevent entrance of said lug in said groove, thereby preventing manual movement in one direction of said trough, and manually operative means adapted to engage a coin dropped through said slot and force said plunger downwardly below said. groove thereby permitting passage of said lug through said groove whereby thecompartment inside sald base containing a package of said merchandise is adapted to be manually forced outwardly thereof.

7. In a vending device, a. container comprising a body and a base, said base having holes therein, a trough slidably received in said holes and having a compartment in each end. adapted to receive packages of merchandise from said body, the length of said trough and the size of said compartments being such 7 that when one of said compartments is outside said base the other compartment 1s inside said'base, a lug connected with said trough, means to control the movement of said trough within said base comprising coin operative mechanism consisting of a front plate fixed to said container and havmg a coin slot therein and having a groove in its inner side in alignment with said lug, a plunger adapted normally to prevententrance of said lug in said groove, thereby preventing manual movement in one direction of said trough, and manually operative means adapted to engage a coin dropped through said slot and force said plunger downwardly below said groove thereby permitting passage of said lug through sa d groove iwherebythe c mpa nt i e sai base containing a package of said merchandise is adapted to be manually forced outwardly thereof.

8. In a vending device, a container comprising a body having an opening in its bottom and adapted to contain packages of merchandise, a base integrally formed with the lower portion of said body and having an open top registering with said opening, whereby said packages are adapted to fall by gravitation into said base, said base having sides, front, rear and a bottom, said sides having holes therein, said front havin an opening therein,a trough slidably recelved in said holes and having a compartment in each end adapted when positioned in said base to receive said packages from said body, the length of said trough and the size of said compartments being such that when one of said compartments is outside said base the other compartment is inside said base, means connected with said trough adapted to normally engage the sides of said base and prevent more than one of said compartments to be simultaneously positioned outside said base, a lug connected with said trough and extending forwardly and horizontally, means to control the movement of said trough within said base comprising coin operative mechanism consisting of a front plate fixed in said base opening and having a coin slot therein and having a groove in its inner side in alignment with said lug, a plunger slidable on said front plate adapted normally to prevent entrance of said lug into said groove thereby preventing manual movement in one direction of said trough and manually operative means mounted on said front plate adapted to engage a coin dropped through said slot and force said plunger downwardly below said groove thereby permitting passage of said lug through said groove, whereby the compartment, inside said base, containing a package of said merchandise is adapted to be manually forced outwardly thereof.

9. In a vending device, a container comprising a body adapted to contain packages of merchandise, a base integrally formed with said body, said base having sides, front, rear and a bottom, said sides having holes therein, .a trough slidably received in said holes and having a compartment in each end adapted when positioned in said base to receive said packages from said body, the length of said trough and the size of said compartments being such that when one of said compartments is outside said base the other compartment is inside said base, means adapted to normally prevent more than one .of said compartments to be simultaneously positioned outside said base, a lug connected with said trough and extending forwardly and horizontally, means to control the movem n of a d tr ug Within said as amprising coin operative mechanism having a coin slot therein and having a groove in its inner side in alignment with said lug, a plunger adapted normally to prevent entrance of said lug into said groove thereby preventing manual movement in one direc tion of said trough, and manually operative means adapted to engage a coin dropped through said slot and force said plunger downwardly below said groove thereby permitting passage of said lug through said groove, whereby the compartment, inside said base, containing a package of said merchandise is adapted to be manually forced outwardly thereof.

10. In a vending device a container com-.

prising a base and a body to receive goods to be vended, said body having an opening in its bottom, said base having an opening in its top in registering position with said opening in said bottom and having holes therein, a trough slidably received in said holes, partitions in said trough to form compartments in the center and in each end of said trough, said base having connected therewith an upturned lip integral therewith and adapted to engage the inner surface of the sides of said base to control the movement of said trough in said base and having connected thereto a lug extending outwardly and horizontally, the front of said base having an opening therein, coin operative mechanism in said last mentioned opening and comprising a front plate fixed in said last mentioned opening, an upper rear-bar and a front bar slidable vertically and mounted adjacent the inner and outer sides, respectively, of said front plate, a lower rear-bar in alignment with said upper rear-bar and having a slot therein, rivets fixed in said front plate and received in said lower rear-bar-slot and having heads adapted to retain said last mentioned bar in vertical slidable contact with therear surface of said front plate, a coil spring adapted to urge said lower rear-bar upwardly, said lower rear-bar having a cut-out in its upper outer edge and said front plate having a groove in its inner surface, the sides of said groove extending horizontally, said groove being in alignment with said lug and said cut-out when said lower rear-bar is in its uppermost position, a chute fixed to the rear surface of said front plate and having its rear side inclined downwardly and outwardly and having its lower edge in contact with the upper edge of said lower rear-bar when said last mentioned bar is in its uppermost position, said front plate having a coin slot in alignment with said chute whereby a coin inserted in said coin slot is adapted to slide downwardly of said inclined rear of said chute and into said cut-out and manual downward movement of said front bar said upper rear-bar is adapted to cause said coin to force said lower rear-bar downwardly below said groove, whereby said said groove when said compartment contain-. ing said package is outside said container andpermit said coil springto urge said lower rear-bar upwardly to prevent manual sliding of said trough to position the other of said end compartments outside said base.

11. In a vending device a container comprising a base and a body to receive goods to be vended, said body having an opening in its bottom, said base having an opening in its top in registering position with said open ing in said bottom and having holes therein, a trough slidably received in said holes, partitions in said trough to form compartments in the center and in each end of said trough, said base having connected therewith a lug, the front of said base having an opening therein, coin operative mechanism in said last mentioned opening and comprising a front plate fixed in said last mentioned opening, an upper rear-bar and a front bar slidable vertically and mounted adjacent the inner and outer sides, respectively, of said front plate, a lower rear-bar in alignment with said upper rear-bar, a coil spring adapted to urge said lower rear-bar upwardly, said lower rear-bar having a cut-out in its upper outer edge and said front plate having a groove in its inner surface, said groove being in alignment with said lug and said cut-out when said lower rear-bar is in its uppermost position, a chute fixed to the rear surface of said front plate, said front plate having a coin slot in alignment with said chute whereby a coin inserted in said coin slot is adapted to slide downwardly and into said cut-out and manual downward movement of said front bar said upper rear-bar is adapted to-cause said coin to force said lower rear-bar downwardly below said groove, whereby said 1 g is adapt- 1 ed to enter said groove and said trough is adapted to be manually slidtransversely' of said base and position said compartment containing said package outside of said container. p

12. In a vending device a rectangular container to receive goods to be vended and comprising a body having a top, sides, a front and a rear, said body having an opening in its bottom, a base integral with said body and comprising a top, ends, a bottom, a front and a rear, said base top having an opening therein in registering position Zwith said opening in said bottom of said body, said base sides, respectively, having holes therein, one of said sides having a notch therein adjacent one of said holes. a trough slidably received insaidbase and adapted to be received through said holes, partitions in said trough whereby a compartment is formed in the center and in Y each end of saidtrough, a support receivable in said center compartment and having an upturned lip integral therewith and adapted to engage the inner surface of the sides of said base to control the outward movement of said trough in said base and having fixed thereto a lug extending outwardly and horizontally and adapted to pass through said notch, the front of said base having an opening therein, coin operative mechanism in said last mentioned opening and comprising a front plate fixed in said last mentioned openin and having a pair of spaced apart slots therein, an upper rear-bar and a front bar slidable vertically and mounted adjacent the inner and outer sides, respectively, of said front plate, rivets received through said slots, respectively, and fixed to said upper rear-bar and to said front bar whereby said bars are retained in contact with said front plate, a lower rear-bar in alignment with said upper rear-bar and having a slot therein, rivets fixed in said front plate and received in said lower rear-bar-slot and having heads adapted to retain said last mentioned bar in vertical slidable contact with the rear surface of said front plate, a coil spring adapted to urge said lower rearbar upwardly, said lower rear-bar having a cut-out in its upper outer edge, said front plate having a groove in its inner surface, the sides of said groove extending horizontally, said groove being in alignment with said lug and being in alignment with said cut-out, when said lower rear-bar is in its uppermost position, a chute fixed to the rear surface of said front plate and having its rear side inclined downwardly and outwardly and having its lower edge in contact with the upper edge of said lower rear-bar, when said last mentioned bar is in its uppermost position, said front plate having a coin slot in alignment with said chute whereby a coin inserted in said coin slot is adapted to slide downwardly of said inclined rear of said chute and into said cut-out and by manual downward movement of said front bar said upper rear-bar is caused to engage the upper edge of said coin and force said lower rearbar downwardly below said groove, whereby said lug is adapted toenter said groove and said trough is adapted to be manually slid transversely of said base, forcing said coin from said cut-out, and positioning saidcompartment containing said package outside of said container, said lug adapted to move from said groove when said compartment containing said package is moved outside said container, and said coil spring urges said lower rear-bar upwardly in alignment with said groove, whereby inward manual pressure of said trough causes said lug to en gage said lower rear-bar and prevents manual sliding of said trough to position the 1', song-9e5 other of said end compartments outside said base.

13; In a vending device a container to receive goods to be vended and comprising a body having a top, sides, a front and a rear, said body having an opening in its bottom, a base integral with said body and comprising a top, ends, a bottom, a front and a rear, said base top having an opening therein in registering position with said opening in said bottom of said body, said base sides, respectively, having holes therein, a trough slidably received in said base and adapted to be received through said holes, partitions in said trough whereby a compartment is formed in the center and in each end of said trough, a

support receivable in said center compart-.

ment and having an upturned lip integral therewith and adapted to engage the inner surface of the sides of said base to control the outward movement of said trough in said base and having fixed thereto a lug extending v outwardly and horizontally, the front of said base having an opening therein, coin operativ'e mechanism in said last mentioned openingand comprising a front plate fixed in said last mentioned opening and having a pair of spaced apart slots therein, an upper rearbar and a front bar slidable vertically and mounted adjacent the inner and outer sides,respectively, of said front plate, rivets received through said slots, respectively, and fixed to said upper rear-bar and to said front bar whereby said bars are retained in contact with said front plate, a lower rear bar in alignment with said upper rear-bar and having a slot therein, rivets fixed in said front plate and received in said lower rear-bar-slot and having heads adapted to retain said last mentioned bar in'vertical slidable contact with the rear surface of said front plate, a coil spring adapted to urge said lower rear-bar upwardly, said lower rear-bar having a cutout in its upper outer edge, said front plate having a groove in its inner surface, said groove being in alignment with said lug and being in alignment-with said cut-out, when said lower rear-bar is in its uppermost position, a chute fixed to the rear surface of said front plate and having its rear side inclined downwardly and outwardly and having its lower edge in contact with the upper edge of versely of said base, forcing said coin from said cut-out, and positioning said compartment containing said package outside of said container, said lug adapted to move from said groove when said compartment containing said package is moved outside said container, whereby inward manual pressure of said trough causes said lug to engage said lower rear-bar and prevents manual sliding of said trough to position the other of said end compartments outside said base.

ORA L. MOBLEY. 

